Portable loader



Aug. 14, 1951 Filed April 6, 1948 J. I. MORGAN ET AL PORTABLE LOADER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jim/r I. MORGAN fiu (T /V B. CH/SHOLM @LMW Aug. 14, 1951 J. 1. MORGAN ETAL 7 ,1

PORTABLE LOADER Filed April 6, 1948 2 Sheets-Shet 2 0 27 a 40 29 v 36 m (O 32 T v 4 2 v Q 5 a I Jim I MORGAN BURTOAI B. CH/SHOLM Pafented Aug. 14, 1951 PORTABLE LOADER Jack I. Morgan, New Meadows, and Burton B Chisholm, Boise, Idaho Application April 6, 1948, Serial No. 19,318

6 Claims. I This invention relates to loading devices and, more particularly, to a portable loader adapted for loading logs as well as other heavy articles.

The object of this invention is to provide a loader operable in conjunction with a conventional tractor wherein the tractor not only provides the operating power for the loader, but is so structurally connected as to constitute a means for bodily transportin the loader from place to place and to serve as a counterweight.

More particularly, it is intended to provide an undercarriage for a crane having a semi-permanent connection with a tractor wherein part of the undercarriage rests on the ground and part is attached t the tractor so that the tractor carries part of the bearing-load .of the crane assembly and sothat, when th need occurs, lends its mass and weight to resist tipping or tilting of the crane. By the same structural connection, it is intended to provide for the easy transportation of the assembly merely by winching up the crane undercarriage so that the portion which normally rests on the ground suspends from the tractor winch and cable. In this condition, the crane may be bodily moved with the tractor without necessitating disconnection of the power transmitting elements connectin the crane transmission and the tractor power take-off.

It is further intended to provide for the disconnection of the tractor from the crane assembly so that the tractor may be used independently while the crane is at rest and, what is more, to provide for the easy re-connection of the tractor to the crane.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following specification and drawings, in which: 7

Fig. 1 isa perspective view of one side of the assembly showing the front end of the undercarriage lowered for normal loading operations; and,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the other side of the assembly shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals denote the same or similar elements, the upper portion of the loader is constituted by a crane 2. Since the specific features rotatably supported through conventional bearings not shown, on deck 44. The crane is rotated by a ring gear l4 driven by a pinion [6 which, in turn, is selectively rotated through driving mechanism l8 operably connected to the power transmission 20. Rotation, raising, lowering, and grabbing of the crane mechanisms are under the control of the various levers 22 as will be understood by those skilled in the art, it being important now only to note that the controls 22. and operators seat 24 are permanently mounted on deck id and are functionally integral with the elements of crane 2 and the undercarriage 40 detailed herein below.

Likewis the crawler tractor 25 may be any one of a number of stock track-type so long as it includes a power take-off 26, and winch 30, preferably at the rear, and winch cable 32 passing over a sheave 34 supported at the front of the tractor so as to constitute a vertical hoist at the front of the tractor, and trunnions 36 at each side of the tractor frame 38. Crane transmission 20 receives motive power from take-off .25 detachably conof the crane do not per se form a, part of the invention, salient features only will be referred to,

a it being understood that any standard crane may be readily adapted to this invention. In the present example there is shown a boom 4 pivoted at its inner end 5 and supported at its outer end by cables 8 by which it is raised and lowered and by which the tong mechanism I0 is operated. The crane assembly further includes a framework I2 nected to the shaft 21 which has universal joints 28 to lend flexibility. Shaft 21 is connected to transmission 20 through chain drive 29. The crane undercarriage 40, with which the invention i primarily concerned, is generally cubical in form and has spaced left and right sides defined by corner posts 42 at the front and rear and deck 44 extending between the tops of the sides. Horizontal frame members 45 extend along the bottom of each side, the framework being structurally braced by diagonals 48 which are disposed across the sides and front of the framework, but do not cross the back so as to provide for ingress and egress of tractor 25.

The horizontal frame members 46 are connected together at their front ends by cross-ties 50 which depend below the frame members and operate to bear upon the ground so as to perform the office of a stabilizing shoe. The forward cross-tie presents a dependency 52 serving as a cleat to actually penetrate the ground surface and establish a toe-hold for the forward end of the framework.

Near the rear of horizontal frame members 46 are secured separable bearing blocks 54 which support the rear of the framework on trunnions 36. Blocks 54 are standard, one of them, 54a being aifixed to a frame member 46 while the other, 542) is secured by through-bolts to block 54a so that it can be taken off. The front of the framework is connected at 56 for vertical hoisting by cable 32..

It is thus apparent that, during normal operation, tractor 25 is straddled by framework 45, the front end of the framework rests on the ground, and the rear end of the framework is supported off the ground by bearings 54 engaged around trunnions 36. With shaft 2! and chain drive 29 drivingly connecting the crane transmission 2!] and the tractor power take-off 26, an operator on seat 2d operates crane 2 by manipulation of controls 22 in the customary manner. When the crane handles a heavy load which ordinarily would tend to tip it forwardly or sidewise, tractor 25 serves as a counterweight as well as the source of motive power for the crane and the ground engaging cross ties aid in stabilizing the framework li). Such a heavy load causes the cleat 52 to dig into the ground and resist endwise movement of the framework and the tractor. When it is desired to change the site of operation, winch 3B is activated to hoist the front end of framework Ml upwardly by cable 32 off the ground so that the entire assembly may be transported at will on the tractor. Because of the flexibility obtained through universal joints 28 the driving connection between the tractor and crane need not be altered during transportation.

Tractor 25 may be used independently by disconnecting shaft 2'! from the power take-off and by placing suitable blocks or jacks under the rear ends of horizontal frame members 46. separation of bearing members and disconnection of cable 32 from the front. of the framework, the 54d and 54b tractor may be backed out and used for skidding or other operations. If desired, shoes, skids, jacks, or other ground-engaging members may be added to the lower parts of frame 40 to meet the requirements of any particular terrain.

We are aware that load-handlin machines have been heretofore devised peculiarized in the provision of a frame-work supporting the loadhandling machinery, and which are arranged and adapted to be moved from one to another loadhandling site by a vehicle which is separably associated with the frame-work. lhe features salient to the present invention which we consider to be of particular import are (l) the crosstie 50 with its ground engaging cleat 52 placed forwardly of the frame-work and extending the entire width thereof for establishing a direct and firm ground purchase bracing the frame-work against resistance of elevated loads, (2) the association of parts which operates to transmit power for the operation of the load-handlin machinery from the engine of the tractor while permitting the tractor to be used for the performance of useful work separate and apart from the loadhandling machine, and (3) the provision of a connection for detachably anchoring the framework of the load-handling machine to the frame of the tractor for localizing the latter and serving in addition to utilize the tractor as a counterweight for the load-handling machine.

It is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to a device which can be used only with a tractor having a vertical hoist at its front end and a power take-off at its rear end. For ex ample, if the tractor 25 were backed beneath the platform Ml instead of driven forwardly as illustrated it is obvious that the winch 38 could serve directly as a vertical hoist and that a forwardly extending chain could be operatively interconnected with the tractor power take-off instead of the rearwardly extending chain 29 shown in the drawings. Such changes would perforce be obvi- Upon ous to one skilled in the art so that the invention detailed above is not limited to the specific structure disclosed but is intended to cover all modincations and variations within the scope of the following claims.

Vi e claim:

1. A loader for use with a tractor having a power take-off, a vertical hoist near an end thereof, and trunnions at the sides thereof, and comprising a raised platform, a framework supporting said platform and adapted to straddle said tractor and to permit ingress and egress of said tractor therefrom, a crane mounted on said platform, said crane including a pivotally mounted boom and control and power transmission elements therefor, ground engaging means mounted on the framework forwardly of the platform for supporting the forward end of the framework, detachable bearing means for pivotally supporting the rear of said framework on said trunnions and above the ground surface, detachable means for operatively interconnecting the tractor takeoff and the crane power transmission elements, and detachable means engageabl with the vertical hoist for lifting said ground engaging means above the ground to enable the framework and crane to be movedbodily with the tractor.

2. A loading mechanism adapted for use in connection with a tractor having a power takeoff, a vertical hoist, and trunnions at the sides, comprising a raised platform, an open framework supporting the platform and adapted. to straddle the tractor and to permit ingress and egress of the tractor to and from a working position, a crane mechanism supported on said. platform, said crane mechanism including a pivotally mounted boom anola power transmission mechanism and a control unit. therefor, flexible coupling means connected to said power transmission unit and adapted for quick-detachable connection with the tractor power take-off, detachable hearing means to pivotally support the rear of said framework on said trunnions, aground engaging cleat on the front of said framework, and means on said front for detachable engagement with said vertical hoist whereby said, framework may be pivoted upwardly about said trunnions to lift said cleat from the ground to enable the framework and crane mechanism to be moved bodily with the tractor.

3. A portable loading device for use with ,a tractor having a vertical hoist, trunnions at its sides, and a power take-off, an open framework having spaced sides, a front, a top supporting a platform, and an unobstructed back and bottom for permitting th ingress and egress of the tractor beneath the platform, detachable bearin means for pivotally supporting the rear of the framework on the tractor trunnions and above the ground surface, a crane mounted on the platform including a pivotally mounted boom and control and power transmission elements therefor, means for detachably and. operatively interconnectnig the power transmission elements to the tractor power take-off, a ground engaging cleat mounted on the front of the framework and spaced. forwardly beyond a perpendicular dropped from the foot of the boom, and means for detachably and operatively interconnecting the tractor vertical hoist to the forward part of the framework for raising the cleat from contact with the ground surface to enable th framework and crane to be moved bodily with the tractor.

4. A portable loading device for use with a tractor having a power take-off, a vertical hoist,

and trunnions at the sides thereof, and comprising a raised platform, a framework supporting said platform and adapted to straddle said tractor and to permit ingress and egress of said tractor therefrom, a power-driven crane mounted on said platform, said crane including a boom mounted for both pivotal and rotary movements with respect to the framework and a driving mechanism for effecting said pivotal and rotary movements, detachable bearing means for pivotally supporting the rear of said framework on said tractor trunnions and above the ground surface, the front of the framework base extending forwardly at the foot of the crane boom and being engageable with the ground surface to stabilize the framework when the crane is operating, detachable coupling means for operatively interconnecting the tractor power-take-off and the crane driving mechanism, and detachable connecting means engageable with the tractor vertical hoist for lifting the forward part of the framework above the ground to enable the framework and crane to be moved bodily with the tractor.

5. A portable loading device for use with a tractor having a power take-01f, a vertical hoist, and trunnions at the sides thereof, and comprising a raised platform, a rigid undercarriage supporting said platform and adapted to straddle said tractor and to permit ingress and egress of said tractor therefrom, a power-driven crane mounted on the platform, said crane including a boom mounted for both pivotal and rotary movements with respect to the undercarriage and a driving mechanism for effecting said pivotal and rotary movements, detachable bearing means for pivotally supporting the rear of the undercarriage on said tractor trunnions and above the ground, the base of the undercarriage extending by its front end forwardly beyond a perpendicular dropped from the foot of the boom and being engageable with the ground, a cleat depending from said front end of the base and functioning to dig into the ground when the crane is loaded and thus resist endwise movement of the undercarriage, detachable coupling means for operatively interconnecting the tractor power take-off and the crane driving mechanism, and detachable means engageable with the tractor vertical hoist for lifting the forward part of the undercarriage and the cleat from contact with the ground to enable the undercarriage and crane to be moved bodily with the tractor.

6. A loading device comprising, in combination,

a tractor, a framework adapted to straddle the tractor, a power-operated loading mechanism supported on said framework, means for transmitting operating power from said tractor to said loading mechanism, said framework having a ground-engaging support means at the front end thereof, bearing means provided by the tractor for pivotally supporting the rear end of said framework, and means on said tractor for swingably moving said framework about said bearing means whereby to lift said ground-engaging support means from the ground so that said framework and loading mechanism may be transported on said tractor.

JACK I. MORGAN.

BURTON B. CHISHOLM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,564,133 Fraser Dec. 1, 1925 1,909,528 Garson May 16, 1933 2,131,402 King Sept. 27, 1938 2,162,994 Baker June 20, 1939 2,235,913 Beane Mar. 25, 1941 2,362,220 Shoemaker Nov. 7, 1944 2,365,169 Billings Dec. 19, 1944 2,366,115 Kuch et a1. Dec. 26, 1944 2,446,220 Erdahl Aug. 3, 1948 2,446,938 Losch Aug. 10, 1948 

